The UNFPA 2025 Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations

UNFPA, in collaboration with MIT Solve, IE University, and Women of Wearables, is launching The Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations—an innovation challenge designed to provide catalytic, equity-free funding while empowering innovators to amplify their impact and scale up transformative solutions for women’s health. The Equalizer Challenge is enabled by the generous support from the Governments of Germany and Luxembourg to the UNFPA Equalizer Accelerator Fund.

Program Details

1. Wide-ranging resources: UNFPA’s support extends beyond equity-free funding, providing innovators with the resources to enter new markets and refine their impact models.
2. Inclusive of all models: Impactful health solutions take many forms; social enterprises, non-profits, hybrid models, and for-profits featuring a sustainable business model are all welcome.
3. Full intellectual property ownership: Startups retain full rights to their innovations.
4. Women’s health at the core: As the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA brings unparalleled expertise and global reach to support innovators in their journey.
5. Beyond buzzwords: This challenge supports high-impact innovations that enhance the health of women and girls.

Eligibility Criteria for The UNFPA 2025 Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations

1. Women-led social enterprises are registered and operating in UNFPA programme countries with a scalable health innovation addressing women’s health needs.
2. Organizations—startups, social enterprises, non-profits, and hybrid models—committed to expanding access to critical women’s health solutions, with clear business models and pathways to scale through markets or the public sector.

Benefits of The UNFPA 2025 Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations

1. Catalytic funding: Up to $20,000 per winner.
2. Global exposure: Direct access to health innovation networks, mentorship, and investors.
3. Post-challenge support: Ongoing engagement, networking, and participation in health forums.

How to Apply

1. Click on the link to the application website to apply.

View details of UNFPA Equalizer Challenge

Apply for UNFPA Equalizer Challenge

Application Deadline

04 May, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for The UNFPA 2025 Equalizer Challenge: Scaling Women’s Health Innovations